“Attention! At a close interval, dress right, dress! Ready two…Hand, Salute!”

“On my honor, I will do my best to serve God and my country, to respect authority, to be a good steward of creation, and to treat others as I want to be treated.”

The preceding two quotes are part of the opening ceremony for every PA-1207 Troop meeting, which includes the Trailman Oath.

What Is Trail Life?

Trail Life is a beacon in the dim and confused culture that seeks to blur the distinctions that God has woven into the male and female roles. While our society attempts to subvert our Creator’s command for men to be the head of the household and, by default, leaders in society, Trail Life seeks to be different. Rather than shy away from God’s design and the obvious differences between men and women, Trail Life celebrates and cultivates the bold and energetic traits God has hardwired into men. Trail Life channels this energy into productive endeavors by encouraging our young men and boys, through an outdoor adventure program, to seek and honor the Lord and grow in spiritual stature as described in the Scriptures.

Godly men who have a desire to teach young men skills of manhood have formed a group, with chapters all over the United States, in which they can do this free from the false ideology of egalitarianism that has infiltrated other programs. In an explicitly Christian context, adult men, fathers, and church fathers gather regularly to teach these young men the practical skills needed to become builders, defenders, protectors, and leaders.

Boys from age five through the end of high school can be a part of the program. Participants find that the troop setting builds camaraderie among the boys and young men. The older boys are given the opportunity to learn and practice valuable leadership skills as they guide the younger boys through their meetings, fun-filled adventures, and projects. Similar to the pattern of the Boy Scouts, the young men are recognized for their mastery of a variety of skills by being awarded badges and earning rank. They earn badges and rank by participating in projects as a troop or as individuals. Adventures in the wilderness provide an exciting opportunity for the young men to demonstrate their mastery of camping, first aid, survival skills, and other skills while earning badges. The wide range of experiences given to Trailmen prepare these young men to successfully fulfill the dominion mandate in a godly way.

Trail Life Experiences In Our Family

We are a big family with the scales tipping largely to the males. Out of seven children, five are boys with full spirits and seemingly endless amounts of energy. While each is unique, it is evident that their curiosity leads them to want to explore and discover what it means to be a man.

One of the best Trail Life experiences that our boys had was their troop’s first Yukon Adventure. Several troops from the Laurel Highlands area, in western Pennsylvania, gathered in winter at Lutherlyn campground for a lively, complex, and demanding competition. In preparation for their first Yukon Adventure in 2022, many of the Woodlands Trailmen (kindergarten–5th grade), Navigators (6th–8th grade), and Adventurers (9th–12th grade) descended on our home to build a sled as a team, regardless of age. The much, much, older “boys,” a.k.a. fathers, thoroughly enjoyed the planning and building as well. Random pieces of wood and a variety of other objects came together to create a sturdy sled, the product of the team’s unified imagination.

During the Yukon Adventure, their masterpiece was used to carry cargo from station to station. At each station, they practiced skills such as cooking, first aid, starting fires, archery, and building structures. Our sons were certainly in their element! They particularly enjoyed the leadership building event in which all but one of the participants were blindfolded. The unblindfolded Trailman led the group in building a shelter by verbal instruction alone. The impact left on the young men was profound. They learned that words are extremely important and can lead one to life and great victory or to frustrating defeat and death.

This experience gave opportunity to consider the words of Solomon, “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established” (Prov. 24:3). “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21). The troop was ultimately victorious in the final sled race! They were delighted in their intra-age group efforts, which came together successfully, having used the variety of strengths in each young man.

Another experience that impacted one of my older sons was a backpacking trip for the older Trailmen. These young men ventured into the Pennsylvania wilderness in early December (a season that is quite unpredictable in weather and ease of terrain). Having been trained, they were expected to have come prepared to withstand and survive whatever they might encounter as they hiked through unfamiliar territory. Armed only with maps, compasses, simple meals, and climate appropriate clothing/bedding, these young men and their guides learned that the vast earth was not always so tame as modern-day conveniences make it seem. While they had fun during this learning encounter, the consensus was that refining one’s skills, subduing the earth, and building one’s character is not always glorious or easy.

Arriving for the hike, the troop encountered an ice-coated parking lot, and, upon arriving at the camp site after a half-day hike, they encountered ice encrusted logs with which they had to build a fire. This was critical to face the subfreezing temperatures they would encounter that evening. The young men that braved this more daring excursion were, however, not entirely in danger. They and the rest of their troop had the benefit of learning under the tutelage and guidance of many well-equipped fathers. One, in particular, brings a level of added safety as well as challenging discipline. Matt Shipley, a retired US Navy SEAL Commander, who is one of the founding troop leaders for our local Trail Life troop, is present at most events. All the mothers found it easier to send their sons off to the cold habitat having him lead the charge, knowing that while they would be kept safe, they would be stretched to understand that growing as a man often comes through discomfort and hardship, a lesson learned by these bold and determined Trailmen.

The last experience to share here is one where our troop and family have been able to connect with the community. They have had the privilege of representing our troop in the well respected local Sewickley Memorial Day Parade. Through participation in this parade, the community has been made aware that young men are being taught to serve others and submit to godly authority. As the culture attempts to blur the biblical distinctions between the genders, Trail Life is proud to assert that these God-given distinctions are meant for the good of the entire community.

Why Is Trail Life Important to Our Family?

As 1 Corinthians 11:3, Psalm 8:3–8, and Genesis 1:26 and 28 teach, mankind is called to rule the earth, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, under the headship of Christ, and the steadfast and loving authority of our magnificent Creator, God the Father. Men are created with gifts to lead, cultivate, explore, and build in order to implement godly headship in their homes and society. The several young men in my home show great curiosity and desire to achieve these callings. Learning to be a man is not always an easy task. Trail Life serves to help my sons to become godly men and fathers.

In a world where young men are being told that their God-given responsibilities are meaningless or even wicked, righteous and God-fearing men, working in the context of Trail Life, combat this lie by teaching Trailmen to fearlessly obey God, and not man (1 Cor. 11:3, 1 Tim. 4:12). Trail Life is a welcome and greatly appreciated extracurricular activity that has prepared our sons to be future men by equipping them with the full armor of God for the battle where victory is certain as they know and obey their true Leader, Jesus Christ.